ai4bharat/Pralekha huggingface dataset:
Prime Minister's Office
PM undertakes aerial survey of Cyclone Amphan affected areas in West Bengal
PM announces financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 crore for immediate relief activities in the State
PM announces Rs. 2 lakh Ex gratia for the next of kin of the dead; Rs 50,000 for the injured
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi today visited the state of West Bengal to review the situation arising out of Cyclone Amphan. He was accompanied on the visit by Union Minister Shri Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Ministers of State Shri Babul Supriyo, Shri Pratap Chandra Sarangi and Ms. Debasree Chaudhuri. Accompanied bythe Governor of West Bengal Shri Jagdeep Dhankharand Chief Minister Ms. Mamata Banerjee, Prime Minister undertook an aerial survey of the cyclone affected districts of West Bengal.
Thereafter, Prime Minister chaired a meeting of all the senior officers of the State and Central Governments to review the relief and rehabilitation measures being undertaken in West Bengal. He announced a financial assistance of Rs. 1,000 crore, for immediate relief activities, to the State of West Bengal. After receiving Memorandum of Assistance from the State, Union Government will deploy an Inter-Ministerial Team to visit the state to assess the extent of damage in the State, based on which further assistance will be given.
Prime Minister expressed his complete solidarity with the people of West Bengal and expressed deep sorrow to the families who have lost their kin during the calamity. He announced an ex-gratia of Rs. 2 lakh to the next of kin of the deceased and Rs. 50,000 to the seriously injured in the cyclone in the State.
Prime Minister assured the people of the State that the Union Government would closely work with the State Government at this difficult time, extend all possible assistance for restoration and rebuilding of the infrastructure in the affected areas.
This was the second visit of the Prime Minister to the state of West Bengal this year, which is the only state apart from Uttar Pradesh, where he has had multiple visits this year. Prime Minister had earlier this year visited West Bengal on 11-12 January whereby he had attended the 150th Anniversary celebrations of Kolkata Port Trust, dedicated to the nation four refurbished heritage buildings in Kolkata and had also visited Belur Math.
Ministry of Defence
PROCUREMENT OF ITEMS FOR ARMED FORCES
Capital procurement of Defence equipment is carried out as per Defence Acquisition Procedure  with a focus on “Atmanirbhar Bharat” i.e “Self-Reliance” wherein indigenisation, innovation and import substitution have been facilitated through various schemes to build a robust ecosystem based on domestic industry including Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises . One of the key objectives of Make in India initiative of the Government is to bring MSMEs and Start-ups into the defence supply chain and thereby boost self-reliance.
The Government has taken several policy initiatives for promotion of MSMEs in defence and some of the DAP provisions enabling participation of MSMEs/Start-ups are as under:
• Reservation of delegated cases with AoN cost up to Rs 100 crores for MSMEs, provided there are at least two or more MSMEs eligible to participate in the category.
• Relaxation of financial parameter for recognised Start-ups/MSMEs.
• Waiver of EMD requirement from recognised Micro and Small Enterprises .
• Relaxation in financial eligibility criteria for MSMEs for MAKE-1 projects.
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Setting up Innovations for Defence Excellence  initiative under the Defence Innovation Organisation  and Technology Development Fund  under DRDO to use a multipronged approach and engage a large pool of innovators/technocrats/professionals/academicians including amongst the smaller enterprises, start-ups and MSMES, to foster innovation in a coherent, strategized, and integrated manner.
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The Defence Offset guidelines have further paved the way for proactive participation of MSMEs of India by incorporating a scheme of multipliers of 1.5 for engaging MSME as Indian Offset Partners , which promotes their integration in global supply chain.
During the last five financial years , 239 capital acquisition contracts have been signed for procurement of defence items/equipment. Out of which, 168 contracts accounting for 68% of total contracts value have been signed with Indian vendors including MSMEs. Year-wise details of capital contracts signed with domestic vendors are as under:
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|
S No
|
|
Year
|
|
No of contracts
|
|
1
|
|
2018-19
|
|
30
|
|
2
|
|
2019-20
|
|
38
|
|
3
|
|
2020-21
|
|
34
|
|
4
|
|
2021-22
|
|
30
|
|
5
|
|
2022-23
|
|
36
This information was given by Raksha Rajya Mantri Shri Ajay Bhatt in a written reply to Shrimati Poonam Mahajan and Ms Ramya Haridas in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of External Affairs
Cabinet approves MoU between India and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on the return of Illegal Migrants
The Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has given its approval to the MoU between India and the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland on the return of Illegal Migrants.
Benefits:
The MoU will facilitate that the Visa Free Agreement for holders of Diplomatic passports as well as liberalization of UK Visa Regime for those who are travelling to the UK legally, after conclusion of the MoU.
It will ensure the return of persons who have no lawful basis to be in the territory of the other Party after verification of nationality to its satisfaction.
It will help in streamlining the procedure of return of nationals who are caught to be staying illegally, belonging to the other party in a specified time-frame.
Ministry of Heavy Industries
8.77 lakhs Active Electric Vehicles are on Indian Roads
Under Phase-II of FAME-India Scheme, incentives provided to buyers of electric vehicles in the form of an upfront reduction
The use of electric vehicles is increasing in the country. As per the e-vahan portal , at present there are about 8.77 lakhs active electric vehicles are on Indian roads as on 08.12.2021.
Under Phase-II of FAME-India Scheme, incentives are provided to buyers of electric vehicles in the form of an upfront reduction in the purchase price of electric vehicles.
Further, following two Production Linked Incentive  schemes are being implemented by the Ministry of Heavy Industries for promotion of manufacturing of electric vehicles:
- The union cabinet on 12th May, 2021 approved a Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for setting up manufacturing facilities for Advance Chemistry Cell , Battery Storage in India, with a total manufacturing capacity of 50 Giga Watt Hour  and with an outlay of Rs. 18,100 crores for 5 years.
- Government has approved the Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components with a budgetary outlay of Rs. 25,938 crores over a period of five years. Electric vehicles are covered under Production Linked Incentive  Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Heavy Industries Shri Krishan Pal Gurjar in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Prime Minister's Office
PM invites citizens to share their ideas and suggestions for Mann Ki Baat on 30th January, 2022
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has invited citizens to share their ideas and suggestions for Mann Ki Baat which will take place on Sunday, 30th January, 2022.
In a tweet, the Prime Minister said;
"On the 30th on this month, the first #MannKiBaat of 2022 will take place. I am sure you have lots to share in terms of inspiring life stories and topics. Share them on @mygovindia or the NaMo App. Record your message by dialling 1800-11-7800."
Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers
Shri Mansukh Mandaviya takes charge as Union Minister of Chemicals & Fertilizers
Shri Mansukh Mandaviya took over as the Union Minister for Chemicals & Fertilizers here today. The Minister was welcomed by the Secretaries and senior officials of the Ministry.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
Availability of Good Quality Seeds
There is sufficient quantity of certified/quality seed available for all farmers across the country. The details of requirement and availability of seed in the Country in last three years is given below:

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|
Year
|
|
Requirement
|
|
Availability
|
|
Surplus
|
|
2019-20
|
|
387.31
|
|
431.01
|
|
43.70
|
|
2020-21
|
|
443.16
|
|
483.66
|
|
40.50
|
|
2021-22
|
|
465.36
|
|
498.83
|
|
33.47
In order to make quality seeds affordable to farmers, Government ensures fixation of uniform breeder seed price in consultation with ICAR for minimization of the seed production cost in case of foundation and certified seed. Furthermore, Government provides financial assistance to different States and Government Seed Producing Agencies for production and distribution of seeds and for other interventions related to seed sector viz. National Food Security Mission , Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture , Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana , Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Materials  etc. so as to make quality seed affordable and available to the farmers in timely manner.
Because of the program a significant production enhancement has been achieved across the crops, as a result there is 6.07 times production enhancement in food grains, 3.06 times in pulses, 6.98 times in oilseeds, 11.93 times in cotton and 7 times in case of sugarcane over 1950-51 till 2020-21. The collective efforts of ICAR and DA&FW have played a significant role in bringing newly released varieties into seed chain in recent year. During 2020-21, out of total 115517 quintals breeder seed produced, 44705 quintals  and 66422 quintals  accounts for varieties lesser than five years and ten years old respectively, some of which are bio-fortified and multiple stress tolerant varieties. All these efforts bolster varietal diversification and productivity augmentation. Furthermore, following steps are being taken up by DA&FW to ensure availability of quality seed to the farmers:-
1). State Governments has been preparing Seed Rolling Plan for three years in advance to estimate the requirement of seed in their State and distribute seed production targets accordingly to different Seed Production Agencies. This system ensures timely availability of required quantity of seed to the farmers in different States.
2). State Governments are placing their Breeder Seed indent in different crops one year in advance for systematic breeder seed production. After production the Breeder Seed is allotted to State Governments and Seed Producing Agencies for further multiplication into foundation and certified seed and its distribution to the farmers.
3). For any unforeseen climatic condition, a National Seed Reserve is established in different States for creating Seed Reserve every year which is having short, medium duration and stress tolerant varieties seeds.
This information was given by the Union Minister for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare Shri Narendra Singh Tomar in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister Amitbhai Shah reviews central schemes in his parliamentary constituency Gandhinagar district
Union Home Minister Shri Amitbhai Shah today held a review meeting for various Central Sector Schemes in his parliamentary constituency of Gandhinagar District. He obtained minute details of the progress in various schemes by way of department wise presentations.
In presence of the MLAs of the constituency he as chairmen of the review committee under “DISHA” directed the officials to achieve the given targets and ensure that benefits reach to the poorest of the poor.
He said that Ujjwalla Yojana benefits should reach to each and every family by 31 October, 2019. The district Collector Shri S. K. Langha assured the Minister that the targets will be achieved before that in respect of Ujjwalla Yojana and the scheme “Nal Se Jal”.
Shri Amitbhai Shah also directed the district officials that no house should remain without electricity connection in the district. Another member of parliament Shri Hasmukhbhai Patel was also present in the meeting.
DK/GP
(Visitor Counter : 119
Prime Minister's Office
English rendering of the Prime Minister’s statement ahead of the beginning of the Monsoon Session of Parliament on 17.7.2017
Monsoon Session of the Parliament gets underway today. After summer, the advent of first rain brings in a fresh new smell into the soil. Similarly, this Monsoon Session will bring in a new spirit after the successful implementation of GST. Whenever the Political Parties and the Government take decisions keeping in mind the national interest, it shows their commitment towards the larger public good. It has been proved successfully with the implementation of GST. The GST spirit is about growing stronger together. I hope the same GST spirit prevails in this Session. The Monsoon Session is significant on several accounts. Nation completes seven decades of Independence on 15th August, 2017. Quit India Movement turns 75 years on 9th August, 2017. During this Session, the nation gets an opportunity to elect the new President and the Vice President. In a way, this period is full of many significant events for the nation. Therefore, it is natural that the public attention will be focussed more on the Monsoon Session this year. As the Monsoon Session of Parliament gets underway, we salute our farmers who have been ensuring food security for the country with their hard work. It is my firm belief that the Monsoon Session will provide an opportunity to all the Political Parties and the MPs to enter into a dialogue of the highest quality with value addition for taking major decisions in the larger national interest together.
Many many thanks to you.
Ministry of Commerce & Industry
Fraud by E - Commerce Companies
The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 has been enacted to better protect the interests of the consumers. It covers all goods and services and all mode of transactions including e-commerce. Under the provision of the said Act, a three tier quasi-judicial mechanism, called Consumer Fora, where consumer can file a complaint against any unfair trade practices including those on e-commerce is provided.
Financial year wise number of fraud dockets registered under the e-commerce platform at the National Consumer Helpline are as under:
|
|
Financial Year
|
|
Fraud Online shopping Cases
|
|
12 Aug. 2016- Mar.17
|
|
977
|
|
April2017-Mar.18
|
|
2, 441
|
|
April2018-Mar.19
|
|
4,955
|
|
April2019-Nov.19
|
|
5,620
|
|
Total
|
|
13,993
From August 2016, the portal www.consumerhelpline.gov.in has been developed to provide a platform to consumers to register their complaints. Further, the National Consumer Helpline  has partnered with some companies to resolve their customer complaints. This is an alternate grievance redressal method, and is a completely voluntary initiative taken up by these companies.
NCH advise to consumers for fraudulent transactions is to lodge an FIR /make a police Complaint or to Cyber Cell, if company is not traceable.
This information was given by the Minister of Commerce and Industry, Piyush Goyal, in a written reply in the Lok Sabha today.
Ministry of Defence
ROYAL AUSTRALIAN NAVY AND INDIAN NAVY COMMENCE BILATERAL EXERCISE – ‘AUSINDEX’
Indian Navy Task Group comprising IN Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt, under the Command of Flag Officer Commanding, Eastern Fleet, Rear Admiral Tarun Sobti, VSM is participating in the 4th edition of AUSINDEX from 06 to 10 Sep 21. Royal Australian Navy  Anzac Class Frigate, HMAS Warramunga which participated in Exercise MALABAR along with the IN units is also part of the exercise. This edition of AUSINDEX includes complex surface, sub-surface and air operations between ships, submarines, helicopters and Long Range Maritime Patrol Aircraft of the participating Navies.
The participating Indian Naval Ships Shivalik and Kadmatt are the latest indigenously designed and built Guided Missile Stealth Frigate and Anti-Submarine Corvette respectively. They form part of the Indian Navy's Eastern Fleet based at Visakhapatnam under the Eastern Naval Command.
Commenced in 2015 as a bilateral IN-RAN maritime exercise, AUSINDEX has grown in complexity over the years and the 3rd edition of the exercise, held in 2019 in the Bay of Bengal, included anti-submarine drills for the first time.
In the Fourth Edition, the surface units of both the countries will be exercising with HMAS Rankin, a Collins Class Australian Submarine, Royal Australian Air Force P-8A and F-18A aircraft, along with integral helicopters of both the Navies. The exercise will provide an opportunity for both Navies to further bolster inter-operability, gain from best practices and develop a common understanding of procedures for Maritime Security Operations.
The exercise is a true representation of Joint Guidance signed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, IN and Chief of Navy, RAN on 18 Aug 21. This important document is aligned to the '2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership' between the two nations and aims to further consolidate shared commitment to regional and global security challenges promoting peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region. The conduct of this exercise despite COVID restrictions is also a testimony of existing synergy between the participating Navies.
Ministry of Agriculture &
Farmers Welfare
As part of India’s Presidency of G-20, Workshop Organised on Agriculture Infrastructure Fund , Madhya Pradesh Farm Gate App & participation of Women entrepreneurs in the Agriculture sector
On the occasion of India's presidency of the G-20, through the theme 'One Earth, One Family,One Future', a one-day workshop was organized today at Noronha Administrative Academy, Bhopal on the Madhya Pradesh Farm Gate App and Agriculture Infrastructure Fund , with the aim of encouraging the sense of global unity and increasing the participation of women in the field of agriculture. The main objective of this workshop was to increase the participation of womenin the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  and M.P. Farm Gate.
Smt. G.V. Rashmi, Managing Director, Mandi Board, in her address, gave information related to the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  in Madhya Pradesh, as well as highlighted the features of MP Farm Gate App developed by the Mandi Board. Conveying his compliments, Madhya Pradesh Agriculture Minister Shri Kamal Patel, in his video message, called for the widespread use of the AIF scheme and the MP Farm Gate App.
Joint Secretary , Government of India, Shri Samuel P. Kumar, in his address, mentioned that the AIF scheme has been widely publicized in Madhya Pradesh, in which, till date, about 2,753 projects have been set up by women entrepreneurs, availing the benefits of this scheme widely. Madhya Pradesh is at the first place in comparison to other states in the outreach of the AIF scheme. He gave detailed information about the scheme. While participating in the workshop, Shri Ashok Varnwal, Additional Chief Secretary, Agriculture Department, Government of Madhya Pradesh, highlighted the important role of MP Farm Gate app. He said the app made it convenient for the farmers to sell their produce on the app, fetching remunerative price for their crops.
Around 200 participants attended the workshop. In the workshop, the participants were made aware about the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund  scheme. Details were given by the experts from Agriculture Department, NABARD, Horticulture, APEDA, Banks and other organizations. Doubts among the participants were resolved during the question-answer session in the workshop. Information about the MP Farm Gate App was also given to women farmers, agricultural entrepreneurs, businessmen etc. At the end of the workshop, Additional Director of Madhya Pradesh State Agricultural Marketing Board, Shri D.K. Nagendradelivered the Vote of Thanks.
Ministry of Education
JNU Vice-Chancellor Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar meets Secretary MHRD Shri Amit Khare to apprise about current campus situation
Last date for student registration for the Winter Semester 2020 of JNU extended up to 12th January, 2020
Vice-Chancellor, JNU Prof. Mamidala Jagadesh Kumar along with Rector-II Prof. Satish Chandra Garkoti met Secretary, MHRD todaymorning and apprised that the situation in the campus is presentlypeaceful. They also informed that the Communication andInformation System has been repaired and is now functional. Thelast date for student registration for the Winter Semester 2020without fine has also been extended up to 12th January, 2020. As partof this registration process about 3300 students have since depositedfee for online registration. University administration has appealedto all the stakeholders to maintain peace in the campus and not toget provoked by any misinformation.
University authorities were advised by the Ministry to make all outefforts for restoration of the normal functioning of the University atthe earliest.
Prime Minister's Office
PM lauds expansion of Ayushman Bharat scheme to more than 1.60 lakh health and wellness centres
The Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi has lauded the expansion of Ayushman Bharat scheme to more than 1.60 lakh health and wellness centres.
Sharing a tweet by Union Minister for Health and Family Welfare, Dr Mansukh Mandaviya, the Prime Minister tweeted:
“Our efforts to ensure top quality and affordable healthcare for the poor continue to gain momentum.”